Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-14

Gtuuylng the speaker face IL T.
striking and noble ore, though there are
signs that both pride and passion have
done work thereupon with their ruthless
craving tools As | watch there comes
Ia me the conviction that these Inca
mcnts are not wholly strange; yet | am
bafiled 20 discover any basis for the curl
Gus fancy OF familiarity.
His companion murmurs something
which the shrek OF a whistle causes me
to lose las if had the remotest right TO
play the eavesdropper).
'Ah, John! Can he not trust me 60
forgive him everything" the old man an
swers.
'"rhis is your train, sir. Any luggage
sauntcr leis lrely Off in the rear of the
yrlrter have tipped, ind the episode
scarce worthy Of such designations
at an end. But that fragment Of CONVEX
sation comes back ut this hour a. if II
were even now ringing in my ears. and |
am trying TO account for the enduring ma
ture of these recollections as ! weave
them together.
| paused ut the preceding paragraph
three hours ago and took my hat and
oyercoat--for il is n stormy October NIGHT
and went 10 MoStyn, as the llildrcth's
draws 70 n close She has father stay
ing with friends in southern cathedral
city, and she has but fulfilled an old pro-
mise by thus invading the Fen country.
Parent and daughter return simultaneous
ly, or n nearly ~ they can cuntriye H. 10
their London residence. Further delay Ou
my part might have been disastrous, BY
which hint have perhaps revealed that
do not now write as a disappointed man.
Yet there was hazard and uncertainty
Mrs IIildreth had more than u suspicion
Of my errand, and COntriNCd. with woman
ly deXterity, 10 leave Margaret and me To
q tcte-u-tete. n service for which ! shall
ever owe my partner wife debt of graft
tude. Ilildreth WAS attending old Nir
Lucas Gannthorue Mt Gamble Manor for
govt. | had counted upon this; though.
had he been az home, my friend and col
league, ! make no doubt, would have
caught peculiar twinkle in his Wilc's
cyes-Or have practiced the art Of diNiua
ton for himself-and have remembered
neglected call.
am not going 10 enter into details. Let
it suffice that | offered my hand 10 Mrs.
Bristowe-my heart was hers already
and was refused. But she admitted that
10 some extent she rcciprocatcd my feel
ings OF regard and affection; Whercupou !
plucked up courage 10 inquire into the
reasons Of her decision
During the course Of the conversation
that ensued between Is, it was borne i'm
upon me more md more that Margaret
was the girl who had suffered 50 crushing
n discontinue in the jewelers. shop at
Renford. | was determined in some way
10 have this question resolved before Vish-
Ing her farewell. But she forcsta!led my
purpose.
Our acquaintance has been agreeable
TO me also. confess, she said Have
you any idea, Mr.. Bruton, that il WIS mot
in this room that We mct-or rather were
thrown into accidental proximity for the
first or the second time
| started az these last words Was
Margaret the yelled lady OF the railway
platform; Il must acknowledge Tia, J
am prepared TO hear il, | answered
Our eyes met, and there was The bond
henceforth Of II mutual understanding Ice
tween as. But how full Of hopeless pnin
was Margaret glance. And then bit by
bit. she coniided 10 inc the story. which.
in her view constituted an usurmomt-
aide obstacle in the path OF my happiness
she had n prudigal brother. who had only
escaped condign punishment for his mis-
dcmeanors by oppOr,unc disappearance
The burden Of Yicarious shame lay heavy
on her soul, and she most resolutely puT-
posed 10 bear the load alone
we know nothing of Jacks where
abouts or mode Of life now, She said;
land it is my daily dread that some now
disgrace may yet come upon Us. | viii
not expose another To this irksOmc risk go
My temcrity surely transgrce,cd the
bounds Of courtesy. but you married
Mr.. BrStowc'' ] said
The delicate oval features were mautlcd
with vivid blush. and | construed the
sign as chiefly one Of anger. II had
very different and, for me, n less awkward
explanation.
Poor Dick | will not say one harsh
word Of him. she murmured But ]
did not-girl rs | was-care for Dick as u
woman ought To care for the man she